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Washington Employment Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I was fired via email after reminding my employer that they had verbally agreed to provide disability accommodations.

I was also denied breaks and lunches because they said most of their workers don’t need them because that want to finish their job on time. I was promised extra time to finish task because I asked them for it due to my muscle nerve disease that causes severe muscle fatigue. Then I was fired for... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 28, 2023

While it sounds like disability discrimination, the case will likely be difficult to prove unless you have documentation showing your employer verbally agreed to allow you more time as a reasonable accommodation for your disability.

You can file a disability discrimination complaint with...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Admiralty / Maritime for Washington on
Q: Can it be construed as threatening to tell someone if they do not pay you what they owe you you will take them to court?

Basically my old boss owes me decent amount of money. He has no intention of paying it. I don’t want to have to go through the legal process.

If I were to sit down with him and basically tell him

“So you owe xxxx. You know you do. I know you do. I don’t want to have to make... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 22, 2023

Threatening to take someone to court if they do not pay a legitimate debt is legal.

Threatening someone with violence if they do not pay a debt is NOT legal.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for Washington on
Q: What's the average compensation due to victim for wrongful termination due to retaliation for seeking internal transfer?

I have proof of retaliation.

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 21, 2023

First, each wrongful termination case is very fact specific, there is no "average" compensation standard.

Second, more important, an employee seeking a transfer is not a legally protected right that would support a retaliation claim unless it is motivated by hostility toward to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I’m in Washington State and my employer says no one is allowed to discuss wages, is that legal?

I work in a senior living facility and I recently learned I was being paid a significant amount less than the other receptionists. I discussed my pay with my boss and she did give me a raise, but made it clear I am not allowed to discuss pay with other employees. She said it is a written rule in... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 18, 2023

According to the Department of Labor and Industries,

Employers cannot prohibit employees from disclosing, comparing, or discussing their wages or the wages of other employees. Wage non-disclosure agreements for employees are prohibited....
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Employment Discrimination for Washington on
Q: I want to file a protection order against a coworker because of continued harassment. How do I do that in WA state?

The non-sexual harassment started on January 4th of 2023. I have filed two Ethics complaints against this employee. My company has not deterred the employee from continuing his behavior besides "The manager has talked with the employee." Can I file an "Order of Protection" or... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 7, 2023

You can file for a civil anti-harassment restraining order.

For instructions go to:

https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/wa/restraining-orders/civil-anti-harassment-orders/basic-information

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: My son is 17y.o. and has already completed his GED. Is he still governed by child labor laws "maximum hours"?

If he is legal to work 40+ hours/wk, could you provide the statute his employer can site?

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Mar 7, 2023

Federal law does not place any restrictions on the number of hours 17-year-old employees may work. However, you should consult a Washington state attorney regarding if there are any state laws that limit the number of hours that minors may work.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I was put on "salary" can I charge over time?

I was working 84hrs a week 7weeks straight no days off, I was told 2500 manage office, then I ended up doing full housekeeping n laundry service too. can I charge over time and for different dutties? And he wants charge me rent now. And keeps changing my pay for those 7 weeks.

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Mar 3, 2023

In Washington state, the 2023 minimum salary for exempt employees working for small employers (1-50 employees) is 1.75 times the minimum wage. That means an employee exempt from overtime pay must earn at least $1,101.80 a week ($57,293.60 a year).

For large employers (51 or more employees),...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: What If I work for a medical facility and find that other employees are committing malpractice and doing illegal things?

If the company that hires me are negligent in their training programs and do not train staff properly, and I notice other employees committing crimes and doing things against policy and procedures, is there legal action I can take against them?

Christopher Kirk Steuart
Christopher Kirk Steuart
answered on Feb 28, 2023

Based on the limited set of facts provided in your question it is difficult to determine how serious or dangerous the situation you are describing is. This is an issue of what are your responsibility to the organization, patients, and the broader community. With knowing more, I would say the first... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: My former employer payed us with personal checks, upon my request for my hours, pto, why so much was taken out,no w2

A coworker said that we shouldn't even file taxes because the company sank, that shouldn't have mattered considering hebwas allegedly withholding portions of my check for taxes

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Feb 20, 2023

Sounds like you were not getting paystubs showing the deductions. You should report your former employer to the IRS and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, who may just be keeping your money. You are entitled to credit from the withholding for future social security benefits,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Can my employer make me shorten my regular hours to accommodate working the weekend to avoid paying me overtime?

My normal work schedule is Monday through Friday. Occasionally we do expos and shows that require us to work over the weekend. Normally we would be able to work our regular 80 hours and anything that we worked over the weekend would be considered overtime. This time, we were asked to shorten our... View More

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Jan 31, 2023

Yes, there are no laws that require employers to offer any particular amount of hours or overtime. As long as you're paid overtime for any hours over 40 per workweek that you do work, your employer can reduce your hours to avoid employees accruing overtime hours.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I live in Washington state, I work remotely for a Canadian Company. Do they have to pay me Washington State minimum wage

Or do they only have to pay federal minimum wage

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Jan 20, 2023

They have to pay you the higher Washington minimum wage.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Washington being an at will fire state, if fired can you sue an employer that hasnt fired someone for something greater?

Specifically, an employee has been caught passed out drunk during food service at a retirement home. For whatever reason he was taken off the schedule for two or three days, then returned to work. Im just curious if by not firing this person over a very major offense is there grounds for someone in... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Dec 22, 2022

Unfortunately, each case is fact specific and it is impossible to give meaningful advice without knowing more factual context. In general, if you were let go for being 3 minutes late, while someone else was allowed to stay though they were passed out drunk at work, it would certainly raise... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Am I considered an "On-Call" or "Part-Time" employee if I am scheduled 2 days a week but am "On-Call" 5 days a week?

Holiday pay Dispute

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Dec 6, 2022

More information is needed to answer this question. These terms are sometimes defined in your employee handbook or employment contract (if you have one), and the employer's definition of these terms generally govern whether and how you receive benefits.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Can you refuse an unpaid 30 minute break?

I work in a bistro restaurant

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Oct 5, 2022

Employers are permitted to require their employees to take 30+ minute unpaid breaks. However, if you are required to perform any work during this 30 minute break period, such that it isn't an "uninterrupted" break, you generally need to be paid for the break time.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: I am FMLA protected but my employer wants to cut my hours and pay when I'm out due to my disability. Is that legal?

I have filed FMLA paperwork with my employer (School District employee) asking to adjust my 8 hour day to 71/2 or 7 hour day and using my sick time to make up the difference. This is due to my eyesight and not being able to drive in the dark. HR has confirmed that I am eligible for protected leave.... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Oct 2, 2022

If you are asking your employer to reduce your workday from 8 hours to 7 1/2 hours, then it is quote reasonable to reduce your pay to the hours worked.

You may want to consider asking your employer simply start your work day earlier, so you can still work 8 hours and get home before dark.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Left Amazon before 2 years. They’re coming after me w a $30K relocation bill. Is there a way to negotiate it down/waive?

-upon employment was told to relocate fro Miami to Seattle

-sold home, took kids out of school, moved to Seattle

-boss made my life impossible. Possible b/c of my age (over 50). Got a negative annual performance review (first step before termination)

-ended up getting a... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Sep 14, 2022

First, you can always attempt to negotiate a solution. You may consider offering a refund representing 11/24 of the relocation assistance amount with a deduction for the perceived age discrimination.

Second, it is impossible to tell you what legal options you may have under the relocation...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Hello. I am a WA state employee currently employed on a W2 full time role with one company, with which I am taking paid

family medical leave. I have another full time W2 job in addition to this role. Am I able to take PFML payments from the one job, while also going back to work full time on the second? Is there any way my first employer would know, or the PFML program would know about this other job?

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Aug 29, 2022

The real question is your pregnancy leave for employer number 1 consistent with you not taking pregnancy leave for employer number 2. Your doctor should be making that decision. If you were put on medical leave to protect your health and your child's health, you need to make sure that working... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Commission-only (no salary our hourly pay) physician-can I be required to work in person in clinic certain hours?

I am required to be present in clinic certain hours of the week so medical assistants can administer vaccines. Often I don't have patients of my own at those times and because I'm not seeing the patients getting vaccinated (I'm just sitting in my office-have to be present in case... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Aug 25, 2022

You are entitled to minimum wage for all hours worked. If your commission does not at least cover minimum wage for all hours worked, including the time you are required to be in the office, you are not being paid properly.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Can I collect unemployment I'm on suspension w/o pay, my cash register came up 40.00 short

Is that considered misconduct? I live in WA state

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Aug 29, 2022

You should apply for unemployment. It is a form of insurance that you pay into.

Mere negligence or making a mistake will not disqualify you for unemployment. An employer would have to provide that you intentionally stole the money to be disqualified for a short cash drawer.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Washington on
Q: Can I take my boss to court?They continue to retaliate against me for medical issues even when they are excused by A DR

I’ve been with this company 2.5 years. I worked 5+ days a week with the “best” and busiest shift. Then, I got covid. My boss continued to harass me to leave my quarantine to buy an at home test even though I provided a positive covid test from the DR 1 day before. When I refused to leave my... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Aug 12, 2022

It is illegal to retaliate against you for taking a protected medical leave, such as taking away your shifts or giving you less desirable shifts. If you have paid sick leave or your employer has at least 5 employees, your short term medical leave is likely protected.

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